Get A Feeling For Paris

Paris is a much coveted holiday destination. It is full of traditional, romantic village areas, but also offers all of the wonders and attractions of a modern cosmopolitan city. In Paris, you will find some of the most famous monuments, museums and attractions from around the world. It is certainly a destination that offers something for all visitors.

You can find 150 museums in Paris and almost all of these are worthwhile to visit. They include famous museums such as the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay. The Louvre draws approximately 5.7 million tourists per year and this is testimony to its amazing collection, which includes pieces such as Leonardo de Vinci's stunning, "Mona Lisa." The Musee d'Orsay holds one of the most remarkable Impressionist art collections worldwide.

Another museum that is extremely worthwhile to visit is the Cite des Sciences at de l'Industrie. It is a science museum that boasts extensive hands-on displays.

Besides for Paris' museums, it is also famous for attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and Center Pompidou. The Eiffel Tower attracts around 6.2 million visitors annually. If you take the lift to the top of the Eiffel Tower you will have a panoramic view over the whole of Paris. The Center Pompidou is a center of modern art, cinemas, concerts and children's activities and it is also among the most visited sites in Paris.

The Notre Dame Cathedral and the Grande Arche de la Defense should also be on your to-see list. If you are looking for a place to relax, a visit to the fountains in the Tuileries Gardens or the Jardin du Luxembourg, is a treat. A day trip to visit the stunning palace and gardens of Chateau de Versailles will take you out of Paris itself, but if you have the time, it will not leave you disappointed.

Part of the lure to Paris is the contrasts that can be found within the city. Monumental vistas, such as the one from the Louvre to La Defense are juxtaposed with tiny alleyways in the area of Quartier Latin. You can shop in traditional street markets and pedestrian arcades or within the warren of underground commercial complexes that can be found. There is evidence of great aristocratic wealth contrasted with many areas of poverty.

Paris sees vast numbers of tourists to its city every year and as such, it has many holiday accommodation options to choose from. It boasts approximately 75,000 rooms within about 2,000 different hotels. An aparthotel is an excellent choice for families or groups of visitors. This is an apartment that is attached to a hotel. It tends to offer more space and privacy than the hotel, but does not offer all of the amenities that would be available if you stayed in the hotel itself.

If you are traveling on a budget, there are many youth centers that you can choose to stay in. Rental apartments are also available throughout the city and these are an excellent choice for those who are staying for more than a week or who enjoy staying in self-catering accommodation in order to get more of a feel of the city.